'Stop looking now, here's the perfect ending to a Vietnam itinerary'
Travel Counsellor Sorrel Ashton got married in Vietnam a decade ago and regularly books tours of the country for her clients. She recently returned there, to explore two beach locations on a fam trip with Sailing Club Resorts and Vietnam Airlines, and found fresh inspiration in her favourite destination.
Vietnam is one of my absolute favourite places to visit. So much so that I even got married there in the beautiful Ha Long Bay and plan to return for our upcoming 10-year anniversary. I can’t get enough of the place, and find it an easy destination to sell to clients who like to explore and really get under the skin of a country. I often recommend a north to south or vice-versa itinerary to really enjoy all the country has to offer. Then I add a beach destination to finalise the tour – some relaxation time really completes the package before coming home.
So when the opportunity came for me to go to Phu Quoc Island and Mui Ne, two locations synonymous with the words ‘beach’ and ‘relaxation’, I jumped at the chance having yet to personally visit either (they were on the list!).
First to Phu Quoc, a gorgeous island in the Gulf of Thailand, and an easy 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), with direct flights also from Hanoi, Danang and Bangkok. Our hosts were the Sailing Club Signature Resort who treated us to an array of beautiful two or three-bed villas, each equipped with huge living area, kitchen, outdoor seating area and 12.5m pool. These villas had the instant wow factor, and I could immediately see the appeal, especially for groups of friends and families.
The resort itself has plenty to do when not soaking up the year-round sun. A beautiful restaurant with absolutely divine food including lots of locally sourced seafood and famous Phu Quoc pepper. Daily yoga classes, a five-star spa and activities for children with a small kids’ club, as well as Vietnamese coffee classes and gin tasting are also available. There was also a fabulous beach club a 10-minute walk away or via the hotel buggy, with amazing sunset views, an infinity pool, again amazing food, and daily evening entertainment.
Phu Quoc itself had so much for us to do. We took a bike ride along the beach side promenade, went to the night market in town, and also visited a local pepper farm, which was a really great experience and a wonderful insight into the Vietnamese farming lifestyle. I had a fantastic stay at the Sailing Club Resort and was endeared to all that the Island had to offer. Whilst I can now tick Phu Quoc off the list, I will most certainly be returning.
Our next stop was Mui Ne, three hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh, and much more of beach town than Phu Quoc. Sailing Club Mui Ne hosted us, and the resort was very different to its southern counterpart but by no means lesser. We were accommodated in beautiful and quaint beach shacks, many with outside showers set in a small boutique resort where the staff really shone as the heroes of the place.
The food again was absolutely fantastic, and we were treated to a Vietnamese cooking class, Vietnamese language lessons and an hour-long yoga class overlooking the resort. We also took part in a morning beach clean with the hotel staff which was really great to see and be involved in, and shows how the hotel was taking sustainability seriously along with other initiatives such as banning single-use plastics at the resort. I would really recommend this resorts for couples looking for a romantic break. It was such a beautiful place and so easy to just relax and enjoy the beach.
For me, both destinations were perfect for those wanting some down time, and clients could easily spend time in each destination and enjoy what both places had to offer with some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. Phu Quoc really stood out to me as a perfect destination for families and a rival to Phuket as an island beach destination, whilst Mui Ne is an ideal location to relax and re-gather after taking in the rest of the country before heading home.
I would encourage other agents to look at both destinations as more than just an excellent addition to any Vietnam itinerary. As for me, I’ve already picked out my Phu Quoc villa for that anniversary tour!
Book it: Kuoni is currently offering seven nights’ B&B at Sailing Club Resort Mui Ne in a Sapa Room Garden View from £1,189pp with flights included. This offer saves 25% and applies to select May 2024 departures; kuoni.co.uk
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